Eligibility for the Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Scheme

When we register you in the Scheme we will send you a Prescribed Patient card.

Age limits

To be treated under the Scheme you must have registered before turning 22 years of age. Medicare benefits can then be paid for treatment until you turn 28 years of age.

If you did not register for the Scheme before turning 22, you cannot register or get benefits under it.

If you are aged 28 years or over and were registered under the Scheme, you can seek approval for repairs to previous reconstructive work. You will need to provide clinical details about the need for the repair of previous reconstructive surgery.

Patients aged 28 years of age or over can only receive Medicare benefits for treatment under the Scheme once their application has been approved.